VARICOSE VEINS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1928, Page 4

VARICOSE VEINS

XISW TREATMENT

ATTENDKD WITH GREAT SUCCESS

AUCKLAND, August 31. A recent achievement of medicail science is the removal of varicose veins and related conditions by a simple process of injections. The system is n<nv commonly practised with great success, and witli so little discomfituic to the patients that it is not necessary for them to lie ut). This discovery has important economic. advantages. Formerly these iwollcn veins could ho removed only by surgical means, in which case the patient had to remain in hospital for

several weeks, and usually was unfit

for duty for at least six weeks. Now 1 lie most severe conditions are dealt with hy a small hypodermic needle,

the effects of which are little more than stiffness the following day. Certain solutions, including solutions of quinine, are used. When injected into the. affected veins they set up chemical irritation of the walls, which loads in the course of a few days to their obliteration. These solutions have l>oon proved hy thousands of cases to he sure and safe in their action.

Varicose veins often cause quite a serious degree of disablement, in which event surgical operation formerly was compulsory. Often they are only i cause of disfigurement, which to women in these days of short skirted fashions is serious enough, but. before the new method the only alternative was an operation, with the likelihood of scars Now there is a way of escape without that penalty.

The fact that patients are no longer admitted to hospital for treatment of varicose veins represents an important saving of hospital space, and. of course, a saving of time and money to the individual. Probably the discovery will do much to reduce the number of those who from varicose veins develop chronic leg ulcers, the treatment of which throws another burden on hospitals. With the simple injection treatment available specialist knowledge is not required and much of this trouble ought to be obviated. Similar treatment in modified form is given for piles, another trouble which weighs heavily on the individual, and when dealt with surgically takes hospital space.

For varicose veins alone the new process is a great boon to humanity. It is definitely proved, and in Auckland some very severe forms of conditions have been successfully cured without the patients going to bed, although a series of treatments may have been necessary.